Mobile Home Rent Control and More on the San Jose Creek Project

Santa Barbara Independent
April 5, 2007

After winning a grueling court battle last year to defend its mobile home rent control ordinance, Goleta now faces a second bout over the same issue with Rancho Mobile Home Park owner Daniel Guggenheim, who aims to convert the park into condominiums. Other owners across the state are pursuing the same strategy, which critics characterize as a loophole to avoid complying with local rent control ordinances. Goleta’s City Council unanimously voted to lobby in favor of two bills that would close such loopholes.

The Goleta City Council rejected bids from numerous petitioners to make San José Creek – which periodically floods the Hollister business corridor – more trout-friendly. Environmentalists had hoped to combine a flood control project with state-of-the-art, fish-friendly technology – possibly diverting the creek and restoring its natural bottom. Citing 10-year timelines for that project, councilmembers voted unanimously to approve the draft Environmental Impact Report as written and begin construction next spring on a $14 million project that will deepen the creek to allow more water under the Hollister Avenue bridge.